“He was sweating heavily and had been waiting in the corridor for all that time.”

It is understood the elderly patient died on Tuesday after a cardiac arrest while still on the trolley in the corridor.

The source also claimed patients at the £1billion hospital were receiving blood transfusions in waiting areas as there were no beds available.

He said: “It was going nuts in there. I saw several people hooked up to bags of blood on drip stands in waiting areas and corridors.

“People were sitting on the floor in the IAU on Monday night because it was so busy.

“They had people lined up in corridors for more than seven hours. Paramedics were transferring patients in corridors.

“Patients and relatives were absolutely furious and nurses were in tears.”

Our source said many wards were short-staffed because staff were “totally stressed out and have gone off sick”. He added: “This place is going to be even more of a nightmare come winter when the streets are icy and people start falling.”

Labour MSP Dr Richard Simpson said: “This is absolutely shocking. This hospital should be a flagship centre for health care – instead we are seeing tragic stories about the level of pressure staff are under.

“As these stories multiply it is increasingly clear the transfer of patients and functions to the new hospital was rushed.

“Labour’s plea to SNP Health Minister Shona Robison in May for a pause and a more measured approach was rejected – with dire consequences and increased stress on staff and patients.

“Under the SNP, NHS staff are undervalued, under-resourced and under intolerable pressure.

“This sticking-plaster approach cannot continue.

“Now more than ever we need an NHS based on need, not the ability to pay, and able to deliver the resources and support to staff to deliver the care Scots deserve.”

A spokeswoman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said their thoughts were with the patient’s family at this difficult time.

She said a full review of his treatment is being carried out and the outcome will be shared with them.

The spokeswoman said the unit was fully staffed but was under extra pressure due to a higher than average number of patients attending the department.

But she insisted: “While the unit was busy, we can give you an assurance that there were no blood transfusions taking place in the corridor or waiting areas.

“Our staff worked extremely hard to ensure patients were assessed, investigated, diagnosed, treated and admitted to a bed or discharged as quickly as possible and we apologise to patients who had a long wait.”

Health Secretary Shona Robison said:“Our thoughts first and foremost are with the family of the gentleman who passed away.

"I have been in touch with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are initiating a full and thorough review of the patient’s treatment. This is the right thing to do and I have asked to be kept closely informed of all progress.

“The outcome of the review will be used to learn lessons and to make any appropriate changes that are recommended.

"We have been assured by the health board that they will take any immediate actions required.”

Question -1 of 5Score -0 of 0

What did Richie King, who had an electronic tagging order, do when he wound out he was locked out of his house at his curfew?